Sunderland v Charlton Athletic
Saturday 4th August 2018 … 12:30 Kick-Off
Referee: John Brooks (Melton Mowbray)
IntroductionThink we can all safely say that it’s happening. After a summer of sporting excellence the Football season returns to our lives – New opposition, new grounds… old foes, old memories – Everyone knows the drill now, forty six games played between now and May for some clubs the aim of the game will be survival, for others its all about getting promotion.
For Charlton fans it may have been an excellent summer of sport yet the grey clouds of uncertainty continue to hang over the Valley as fans make the long trip up to Sunderland for Saturdays fixture, many will feel that this could be the toughest season in our History!!
The OppositionName: Sunderland | Manager: Jack Ross
Ground: The Stadium of Light
To an extent the Footballing gods are cruel to announce this fixture at the start of the season… For obvious reasons; Charlton v Sunderland will be a matchup that’ll live long in the memory of both Addicks and Mackems, 20-years ago the two sides would play out one of the most memorable fixtures ever held at Wembley Stadium. In 2018, it’ll barely be a footnote in history.
In the present day though it’s been a few years that many Sunderland fans would like to forget. Mismanagement has seen the club relegated in successive seasons, yet with high earners like Jack Rodwell now off the books it’s a chance for the club to steady the decline and allows the chance to rebuild.
Jack Ross (appointed from St Mirren) has been tasked with getting back to the Championship and in his attempts to do so has built a squad familiar with this level; Jon McLaughlin is an experienced Goalkeeper and having achieved promotion with Burton will know how to get out of this Division, whilst Glenn Loovens from Sheffield Wednesday will add some much needed leadership in defence.
Charlton Team NewsWhere on earth to begin!!... Lee Bowyer remains in charge yet remains as caretaker manager in all but name – Having had an impressive run in charge at the end of last season, you’d hope that one of our famous sons could continue the good work into next season yet it’ll always be a difficult task when you have one hand tied behind your back.
With Lyle Taylor and Darren Pratley our only signings so far its easier to avoid mentioning the injury list (we all know who they are) and concentrate on who’ll start on Saturday… thankfully the lack of experience speaks for itself so the 4-4-2 formation that Bowyer prefers should be easy to name. It’s who goes on to the bench that could be the worry, despite the likes of George Lapslie and Albie Morgan impressing during pre-season!!
Phillips
Solly | Bauer | Pearce | Page
Marshall | Aribo | Forster-Caskey | Grant
Ajose | Hackett-Fairchild
Substitutes Bench: Maynard-Brewer | Sarr | Mascoll | Lapslie | Maloney | Pratley | Taylor
PredictionThe first few games will always be difficult to predict… Some teams will make a strong / unexpected start yet will eventually fade away, whilst others will start poorly and then get stronger as the season goes on – Pre-Season results are impossible to rely upon for form. In facing Sunderland we face one of the favourites for promotion this season… Anything other than a defeat will be a bonus in our current state
Comments
Andrew Muir in the stands swinging a scarf.
Good to see you doing the match previews again, Forever.
Always a good read.
Lineup: I feel last week's team v Norwich is how we basically line up.
As it stands keeper and back 4 pick themselves; plus Marshall, JFC, Aribo and perhaps a surprise start for Lapslie as he did so well last week - and Pratley replacing him to steady the ship later on. Or even Bow calls our bluff and starts with Pratley?
We don't know yet if someone like Dawkins gets signed, if so you'd expect him to slot in LM.
Grant will play up front with Taylor if fit; or Reeeeeeco if not.
Anyway, what do I know ... we may even get surprised by a new signing!
Beaten Sunderland in our last 3 meetings, unbeaten in our last 6 meetings, a mere two defeats in our last 16 meetings. The Mackem's have more reason to be nervous about this than we do - lots of new faces still getting to know each other and the pressure of expectation brought by a new dawn under a new owner. Sadly don't have either of those issues to worry about, but it might work in our favour on Saturday.
1-0 victory for Charlton.
1-1
Guys played two 45 mins now, and been with us in full training for weeks.
He has to be able to play 60-75 mins by now.
Get him in ffs.
Where's HappyValley?
I'm wondering what score he'll predict?
#legend
We have injury and fitness problems but might just be more settled than them.
A good defensive performance from us seeing us nick a 2 - 1 win against all the odds.
Only got two at the SoL last season with one coming on the final day against a Wolves side who probably didnt give a monkey's
Seeing its on SKY it'll probably be a 3-0 win for Sunderland as they recover their bad home form whilst we continue the curse
3-0 Welcome to the new season.
Solly | Bauer | Pearce | Page
Marshall | Aribo | Forster-Caskey | Grant
Ajose | Hackett-Fairchild
Substitutes Bench: Maynard-Brewer | Sarr | Mascoll | Lapslie | Maloney | Pratley | Taylor
If that's an accurate guess of the starting lineup, it will be down to Sunderland's inadequacy alone if they fail to register a comfortable victory.
Defensively that's OK, so long as nobody else breaks down.
Charlton's best hope will be for some generous officiating and a set-piece goal.
Otherwise it will be 95 minutes of attack (stripes) v defence (yellow)